Q. Water is leaking through the expansion joint in an above-garage concrete patio. What is the best way to seal this joint?

A.The joint should be cleaned of all previous sealants. To do this well you may need to use a masonry grinding wheel. The crack should be cleaned to a depth at least equal to the width of the joint. If it is deeper, insert polyethylene backer rod in the joint to make it the same depth as it is wide. Then fill the joint with an elastomeric caulk. Polyurethane is a good choice. With some types of caulk, it is necessary to coat the edges of the joint with a primer for good adhesion. Follow the directions of the caulk manufacturer.